Reforming our Prisons

Wisconsin’s criminal justice system is connected to our educational, housing, health care, transportation and economic systems. The criminal justice system is both a result and a contributor to the systemic racism and economic inequities that attacked most convicted people long before their first arrest. Reform ofour state prisons is an important part of the broader goal of ending systemic injustice in our state and nation.

Fix Wisconsin’s broken parole system. Wisconsin has nearly 3,000 people in its prisons who have long been eligible to be released on parole. They deserve a fair chance to be released, to get on with their lives.

Greatly reduce the use of solitary confinement. More than 15 days in solitary confinement is torture. It magnifies mental health issues and destroys people. Other states and nations have learned to get by without it, we can too.

Increase the use of “Compassionate Release.” Many of the aging and ill people in our prisons could very safely be released to their families or community facilities for their final days.